Higher education

Victoria’s universities offer world class curriculum and facilities, and have produced some of Australia’s most outstanding alumni, with graduates now leaders in: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields; arts and humanities; architecture and design; fine art and fashion; and music and film.

QS World University Rankings 2023 places six Victorian universities in the top 400 ranked universities in the world, and two Victorian universities in the Top 100 - The University of Melbourne (#37) and Monash University (#58). The 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) also ranks six Victorian universities in the Top 400, with The University of Melbourne placed #32 and Monash University ranking #75.

Victorian university campuses are located in and around Melbourne, as well as throughout regional Victoria, and are active globally offering education, training and research solutions to governments, industry partners and students across the world.

International engagement

The Victorian Government invests in strategic international engagement to support Victorian organisations and industry to be globally active and competitive.

International education plays a vital role in supporting and strengthening our international engagement, including through the cultural and social benefits arising from people-to-people linkages through education.

Victoria's research centres, universities and vocational training providers are partnering with industry, governments and educational institutions around the world through:

  • joint research initiatives
  • aid and development services
  • tailored curriculum development
  • joint program delivery
  • staff and student exchange
  • consultancy services
  • customised workforce development programs.

International multi-sector partnerships can draw on Melbourne's position as the world's most valued knowledge city with specialities including:

  • biotechnology
  • Information Communications Technology
  • medical research
  • advanced manufacturing
  • water management
  • food
  • environmental and energy technologies.

This concentration of expertise has drawn leading international companies to establish major research and development operations in the State, offering unique opportunities for successful collaboration and partnership.